Drug-delivery endovascular stent and method of use

Abstract

A radially expandable, endovascular stent designed for placement at a site of vascular injury, for inhibiting restenosis at the site, a method of using, and a method of making the stent. The stent includes a radially expandable body formed of one or more metallic filaments where at least one surface of the filaments has a roughened or abraded surface. The stent may include a therapeutic agent on the abraded surface.

1. A method of producing a radially expandable, endovascular stent designed for placement at a site of vascular injury, for inhibiting restenosis at the site, comprising positioning the stent onto a mandrel covered with an exterior mask of hydrocarbon film; crimping the stent into the mask; ensuring that at least a portion of the stent that is not to be abraded is covered by the mask; texturing at least a portion of the stent; and applying a therapeutic agent to at least a portion of the abraded, roughened, or textured portion of the stent. 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said applying a therapeutic agent comprises infusing the agent into a substratum formed in the abraded, roughened, or textured surface. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising removing said mask after said texturing. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said texturing comprises microblasting at least a portion of the stent. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said texturing comprises shot peening at least a portion of the stent. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said texturing comprises differentially compressing the stent. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising passivating at least a portion of the stent after said texturing. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said therapeutic agent comprises an anti-restenosis drug.